Buyer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Operational Activity

Take responsibility and undertake the purchase of goods and services as delegated, in line with current SFI values Public Contract Regulations, Provider Selection Regime and Procurement Act 2023.

Undertake quotation/tender exercises for goods and services not available against contract, in line with current SFI values Public Contract Regulations, Provider Selection Regime and Procurement Act 2023..

Interact with suppliers to ensure up to date and best pricing is achieved, mitigating risk of price increases where possible.

Interact with stakeholders to ensure best value purchasing is undertaken providing guidance and training where necessary.

Develop a knowledge of the NHS landscape including framework and products to advise stakeholders of the same.

Support Tasks

Support with monitoring supplier performance ongoing as part of the Reconfiguration delivery programme.

Support with the development and enhancement of key supplier relationships and explore new business opportunities based on procurement activity.

Support with the identification and progression of cost saving efficiency schemes, liaising with divisional representatives where necessary.

Transactional Activity

Use Atamis e-procurement solution to ensure compliance with procurement and contracting activity at all times.

Assist with the management and maintaining of contract information via Atamis and flag contract expiries where possible.

Take responsibility for transactional purchase to pay tasks relevant to the procurement department i.e. ensuring all orders are checked for accuracy/certified before dispatch, turning requisitions in to purchase orders, dealing with queries and unpaid invoices etc.

Provide a courteous and quality customer service including providing practical procurement guidance to customers e.g. best route of supply, requisitioning and/or receipting procedures.

Promptly respond and resolve queries and complaints.

Use purchase order data to analyse trends e.g. frequently ordered items and aggregated spend, and act on this information to ensure best practice procurement in line with SFIs, Public Contract Regulations, Provider Selection Regime and Procurement Act 2023.

Self Management and Learning

The post holder will be expected to develop the role on an on-going basis with his / her manager and the service and to adapt the job according to management and organisational changes.

The post holder will be required to be fully up to date with mandatory training and actively progress with self-learning through various routes and resources available. As a minimum the post holder must:

o Working towards MCIPS status or willing to work towards CIPS L3 or L4

o Mandatory Government Procurement Act Completed within 3 months of appointment

o Government Commercial Function Completed within 3 months of appointment

Mandatory Contract Management Foundation

Social Value eLearning

Tackling modern slavery in supply chains: PPE case study

o Maintain continuous relevant training via SDN, HCSA and Government Commercial Function

Other

Actively embrace and promote technology advancements and new ways of working introduced to the division, company or the Trust.

The post holder will be expected to develop the role on an on-going basis with his / her manager and the service and to adapt the job according to management and organisational changes.

Provide cover and support for other team members during holidays, sickness, etc. including cross -category where necessary.

Any other duties which may be required from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department and to provide an effective procurement service.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Kowledge and understanding of the NHS or wider public sector procurement landscape
• Excellent, clear written / oral communication
• Plan and organise own work within broad professional policies
• Attention to detail / accuracy
• Ability to cope with conflicting priorities
• Understanding of general purchasing including buying processes
• Must be able to work within a team
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Must have a strong customer service focus
• Numerate and literate
• Ability to use telephone in a professional confident manner
• Computer literacy utilising Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Ability to influence others
• Analytical/data skills

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of working in the NHS environment or wider Public Sector
• Proven experience of running a tender/quotation process
• Experience of working in line with SFIs and Public Contract Regulations
• Experience of negotiating and liaising with suppliers
• Commercial focus or business background
• Proven skills in buying and raising orders
• Proven experience of purchase order systems such as NEP
• Experience of working in a customer centred environment

Desirable

• Previous experience in the NHS or other public sector organisation in a purchasing role
• Proven experience of using a e-tendering system
• Evidence of delivering cost saving initiatives
• Experience of training others

Qualifications

Essential

• 4 x A*-C Grade GCSEs (must include English & Maths)
• Vocational/Professional courses appropriate to the post or relevant experience
• Willingness to undertake appropriate further study

General

Essential

• Ability to work in various locations throughout the network of services provided by the Company/Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
• Able to fulfil the health requirements of the post as identified in the Job Description, taking into account any reasonable adjustments recommended by Occupational Health
• Must be eligible to work in the UK

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions

Address

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Acre Mills Outpatients

Acre Street, Lindley

Huddersfield

HD3 3EB

Employer's website

https://chs-limited.co.uk/welcome/ (Opens in a new tab)